Ladder for use in the game of ladder ball

ABSTRACT

A ladder device suitable for use in the play of ladder ball. The ladder device includes a lower rung and a leg assembly connected to the lower rung. A middle arm is connected to the lower rung by middle arm members. An upper rung is connected to the middle rung by upper arm members. The device may be deployed in a game play configuration and also in a collapsed configuration. In the play configuration, legs extend below the lower rung, the middle rung is above the lower rung, and the upper rung is above the middle rung. In the collapsed position, the legs and the upper arms are adjacent to and parallel with the middle arm members. Preferably, the legs and upper arms have a length that is no longer than that of the middle arms, thereby facilitating a compact configuration when folded into the collapsed orientation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a collapsible structure for use in playing an outdoor game. More particularly, the invention relates to a collapsible ladder structure for use in the game of ladder ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ladder ball or Ladder toss is a game played by tossing two balls connected by a string, known as a bola, onto a ladder structure. Ladder ball is popular while tailgating at sporting events and may be played in the backyard, while camping, or at other events.

Typical equipment required to play ladder ball consists of two ladders and a set of three bolas per team. Each ladder structure preferably has three rungs, wherein each rung has a different scoring point value. One scoring method is to assign scoring values to the rungs such as Top Rung=2 Points; Middle Rung=3 Points; Bottom Rung=1 Point; No Score—bolas that miss the ladder or bounce off the ground do count in scoring.

To play, an open area is selected that provides approximately 25 ft., e.g., ten paces apart, between the two foul lines that are designated to the front of the Ladder Ball frames. A team is declared the winner of the game in one variation if the winning team leads by at least two points when a predetermined score has been reached, e.g., 21 points. In another variation, an exact score is required to win. For example, if a round's score would put a team over twenty-one, that round's score would not be used.

The balls on the bolas are preferably of uniform weight. The balls may be plastic balls, tennis balls, or rubber balls, but are preferably weighted sponge balls. Different colored bolas are provided to each team. For example, Team One may have three bolas with blue string, Team Two may have red string and Team Three may have purple string. Also, the teams may have different colors of balls. Ladder toss may be played with two people, i.e., one person per team, or up to six people, i.e., three teams of two people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ladder device suitable for the play of ladder ball is described herein. The ladder device includes a lower rung and a leg assembly connected to the lower rung. A middle arm is connected to the lower rung by right and left middle arm members. An upper rung is connected to the middle rung by right and left upper arm members. The ladder device may be deployed in an extended, or game play, configuration and also in a collapsed, or carrying configuration.

In the extended configuration, the legs extend below the lower rung, the middle rung is oriented above the lower rung, and the upper rung is oriented above the middle rung. In the collapsed position, the leg assembly and the upper arms are foldable to be adjacent to and parallel with the middle arm members. Preferably, the leg assembly and the upper arms have a length that is no longer than a length of the middle arms, thereby facilitating a compact configuration when the device is folded into the collapsed orientation.

In greater detail, the ladder device includes a lower rung having a right side and a left side. The right side defines a lower right threaded orifice and the left side defines a lower left threaded orifice. A middle rung has a right side and a left side. The right side defines a middle right threaded orifice and the left side defines a middle left threaded orifice.

A middle left arm has a lower end that is pivotally connected to the left side of the lower rung and has an upper end that is pivotally connected to the right side of the middle rung. The pivotal connections allow for the middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position. A middle right arm has a lower end that is pivotally connected to the right side of the lower rung and has an upper end that is pivotally connected to the right side of the middle rung. The pivotal connections allow for the middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position.

An upper rung has a right side and a left side. The left side is connected to the upper end of the upper left arm. The right side is connected to the upper end of the upper right arm.

An upper left arm is pivotally connected to the left end of the middle rung. The pivotal connections allow for the upper left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position. An upper right arm is pivotally connected to the right end of the middle rung. The pivotal connections allow for the upper right arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position.

When the arms are in the extended position, the ladder device is in a play configuration and, when the arms are in the collapsed position, the ladder device is in a carry or store configuration.

A leg assembly is provided to support the ladder device. In one embodiment, the leg assembly has a right inside leg, a right outside leg, a left inside leg and a left outside leg. The right legs are pivotally affixed to the lower rung and may be positioned in a collapsed position wherein the legs are adjacent to and parallel with the right middle leg. The right legs may be further positioned in a play configuration wherein the right legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration. The left legs are pivotally affixed to the lower rung. The left legs may be positioned in a collapsed position wherein the legs are adjacent to and parallel with the right middle leg. The right legs may be further positioned in a play configuration wherein the left legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivotal connections are facilitated by adjacent hinge members, wherein a first hinge member defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions and a second hinge member defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions. The indexing protrusions permit securing of the hinge members in a desired orientation with respect to one another. The hinge members may be disengaged by loosening a tightening member or may be secured in a desired orientation by tightening a hinge member.

In a preferred embodiment, the hinge members and the tightening members are mounted on a stem extending from an end of one of the rungs wherein the stem is threaded and the tightening member is threaded onto the stem.

One of the outside indexing protrusions and the inside indexing protrusions is preferably made up of a plurality of protrusions arranged in a circular configuration and the other of the outside indexing protrusions and the inside indexing protrusions is comprised of members for locating between the plurality of protrusions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a elevation view of a ladder device of the invention, shown in an extended or game play configuration;

FIG. 2 is an elevation side view of the ladder device of FIG. 1, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the ladder device of FIG. 1, shown in a collapsed or storage configuration;

FIG. 4 is an elevation cross-sectional view of the ladder of FIG. 1, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the ladder of FIG. 3, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 3, said portion designated by the dashed circle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a middle arm of the ladder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an outside elevation view of a middle arm of the ladder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an inside elevation view of a middle arm of the ladder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a leg member of the ladder device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an inside elevation view of a leg member of the ladder device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is an outside elevation view of a leg member of the ladder device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-12, shown is a ladder device designated generally 10 for use in the game of ladder ball. Ladder device 10 has a lower rung 12 having a right side 14 and a left side 16. Right side 14 defines a lower right threaded orifice 18. Left side 16 defines a lower left threaded orifice 20 (FIG. 6). A lower left threaded stem 22 protrudes from lower left threaded orifice 20. A lower right threaded stem 24 protrudes from lower right threaded orifice 18.

A left outside leg 26 has a left outside hinge member 28 affixed to an upper end and has a foot member 30 affixed to a lower end. Left outside hinge member 28 is pivotally affixed to lower left threaded stem 22. Left outside hinge member 28 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 32 (FIGS. 6, 10, 12) on an outside surface. Left outside hinge member 28 additionally defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 34 FIGS. 6, 11, 12) on an inside surface.

Left inside leg 36 has a left inside hinge member 38 affixed to an upper end and has a foot member 30 affixed to a lower end. Left inside hinge member 38 is pivotally affixed to lower left threaded stem 22. Left inside hinge member 38 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 40 (FIG. 6) on an outside surface. Left inside hinge member 38 defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 42 (FIG. 6) an inside surface.

A right outside leg 44 has a right outside hinge member 46 affixed to an upper end and has a foot member 30 affixed to a lower end. Right outside hinge member 46 is pivotally affixed to lower right threaded stem 24. Right outside hinge member 46 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 48 (FIGS. 10, 12) on an outside surface. Right outside hinge member 46 also defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 50 (FIGS. 10, 11) on an inside surface.

Right inside leg 52 has a right inside hinge member 54 affixed to an upper end and has a foot member 30 affixed to a lower end. Right inside hinge member 54 is pivotally affixed to lower right threaded stem 24. Right inside leg 52 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 56 (FIG. 3) on an outside surface. Right inside leg 52 also defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 58 (FIG. 3) on an inside surface.

Middle rung 60 has a right side 62 and a left side 64. Right side 62 defines a middle right threaded orifice 66. Left side 64 defines a middle left threaded orifice 68.

A middle left threaded stem 70 protrudes from middle left threaded orifice 68. A middle right threaded stem 72 protrudes from middle right threaded orifice 66.

Middle left arm 74 has a middle upper left arm hinge member 76 affixed to an upper end. Middle left arm 74 also has a middle lower left arm hinge member 78 affixed to a lower end. Middle upper left arm hinge member 76 is pivotally affixed to middle left threaded stem 70. Middle lower arm hinge member 78 is pivotally affixed to lower left threaded stem 22. Middle upper left arm hinge member 76 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 80 (FIGS. 7, 8) on an outside surface. Middle upper left arm hinge member 76 defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 82 (FIGS. 4, 7, 9) on an inside surface. Middle lower left arm hinge 78 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 83 (FIGS. 7, 8) on an outside surface. Middle lower left arm hinge 78 also defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 85 (FIGS. 7, 9) on an inside surface.

A lower left tightening member 84 is preferably threadably received on lower left threaded stem 22 for selectively compressing inside indexing protrusions 34 on left outside hinge member 28 of left outside leg 26 against outside indexing protrusions 40 on left inside hinge member 38 of left inside leg 36 for forcing engagement of inside indexing protrusions 42 of left inside hinge member 38 of left inside leg 36 with outside indexing protrusions 83 of middle lower left hinge member 78 of middle left arm 74.

Middle right arm 86 has a middle upper right arm hinge member 88 affixed to an upper end. Middle right arm 86 also has a middle lower right arm hinge member 90 affixed to a lower end. Middle upper right arm hinge member 88 is pivotally affixed to middle right threaded stem 72. Middle lower right arm hinge member 90 is pivotally affixed to lower right threaded stem 24.

Middle upper right arm hinge member 88 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 92 (FIGS. 7, 8) on an outside surface. Middle upper right arm hinge member 88 defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 94 (FIGS. 7, 9) on an inside surface. Middle lower right arm hinge member 90 defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions 95 (FIGS. 7, 8) on an outside surface. Middle lower right arm hinge member 90 defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions 97 (FIGS. 7, 9) on an inside surface.

Lower right tightening member 96 is preferably threadably received on lower right threaded stem 24 for selectively compressing right outside leg 44 and right inside leg 52 against outside protrusions 95 of middle lower right arm hinge member 90 for forcing engagement of inside indexing protrusions 50 of right outside hinge member 46 of right outside leg 44 with outside indexing protrusions 48 of right inside hinge member 54 of right inside leg 52 and for forcing inside indexing protrusions 58 of right inside hinge member 54 of right inside leg 52 against outside indexing protrusions 95 of middle lower right arm hinge member 90 of middle right arm 86.

Upper left arm 98 has an upper end and has a middle left arm hinge member 100 affixed to a lower end. Middle left arm hinge member 100 is pivotally affixed to middle left threaded stem 70. Middle left arm hinge member 100 defines outside indexing protrusions 102 (FIG. 3) on an outside surface. Middle left arm hinge member 100 also defines inside indexing protrusions 104 (FIG. 4) on an inside surface.

Left middle tightening member 106 is preferably threadably received on middle left threaded stem 70 for selectively compressing inside indexing protrusions 82 of left arm hinge member 76 against outside indexing protrusions 102 of middle left arm hinge member 100 of upper left arm 98.

Upper right arm 108 has an upper end and has a middle right arm hinge member 110 affixed to a lower end. Middle right arm hinge member 110 is pivotally affixed to middle right threaded stem 72. Middle right arm hinge member 110 defines an outside indexing protrusion 112 on an outside surface. Middle right arm hinge member 110 defines an inside indexing protrusion 114 (FIG. 3) on an inside surface.

Right middle tightening member 116 is preferably threadably received on middle right threaded stem 72 for selectively compressing inside indexing protrusions 94 of middle upper right arm hinge 88 against outside indexing protrusions 112 (FIG. 3) of middle right arm hinge member 110 of upper right arm 108.

Upper rung 118 has a right side 120 and left side 122. Left side 122 is affixed to an upper end of upper left arm 98. Right side 120 is affixed to upper end of upper right arm 108.

As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4, 7-9, and 10-12, outside indexing protrusions 32, 40, 46, 56, 78, 80, 92, 95, 102, and 112 are preferably comprised of eight partial circular sectors arranged with spaces therebetween. Inside indexing protrusions 34, 42, 50, 58, 82, 85, 94, 97, 104, and 114 are preferably comprised of a trio of radial line segments sized to fit within the spaces between the partial circular sectors of outside indexing protrusions 32, 40, 46, 56, 78, 80, 92, 95, 102, and 112. Therefore, when adjacent arms are rotated with respect to one another, the inside protrusions will locate within selected spaces between the outside protrusions. By tightening the adjacent tightening member 84, 96, 106, and 116, the inner and outer protrusions can be located together in a desired orientation such as the vertical orientation of FIGS. 1 and 2, with legs 44, 52 splayed out to a desired orientation. By loosening tightening members 84, 96, 106, and 116, ladder device 10 may be collapsed into the position shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Other configurations and shapes of inside and outside protrusions are possible to achieve a similar result.

A bolus 124 is used in game play to toss at selected ones of lower rung 12, middle rung 60, and upper rung 118. Bolus 124 has a first ball 126 and a second ball 128 affixed to one another by cord 130.

Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A ladder device for game play comprising: a lower rung having a right side and a left side, said right side defining a lower right threaded orifice, said left side defining a lower left threaded orifice; a middle rung having a right side and a left side, said right side defining a middle right threaded orifice, said left side defining a middle left threaded orifice; a middle left arm having a lower end pivotally connected to said left side of said lower rung and having an upper end pivotally connected to said right side of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position; a middle right arm having a lower end pivotally connected to said right side of said lower rung and having an upper end pivotally connected to said right side of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position; an upper rung having a right side and a left side, said left side connected to said upper end of said upper left arm, said right side connected to said upper end of said upper right arm; an upper left arm pivotally connected to said left end of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said upper left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position; and an upper right arm pivotally connected to said right end of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said upper right arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position.
 2. The ladder device according to claim 1 wherein, when said arms are in said extended position, said ladder device is in a play configuration and, when said arms are in said collapsed position, said ladder device is in a carry or store configuration.
 3. The ladder device according to claim 1 further comprising: a leg assembly having a right inside leg, a right outside leg, a left inside leg and a left outside leg; said right legs pivotally affixed to said lower rung, said right legs positionable in a collapsed position that is adjacent to and parallel with said right middle leg, said right legs further positionable in a play configuration wherein said right legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration; and said left legs pivotally affixed to said lower rung, said left legs positionable in a collapsed position that is adjacent to and parallel with said right middle leg, said right legs further positionable in a play configuration wherein said left legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration.
 4. The ladder device according to claim 1 wherein: said pivotal connections are facilitated by adjacent hinge members, wherein a first hinge member defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions and a second hinge member defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions, wherein said indexing protrusions permit securing of said hinge members in a desired orientation with respect to one another.
 5. The ladder device according to claim 4 wherein said hinge members may be disengaged by loosening a tightening member.
 6. The ladder device according to claim 4 wherein said hinge members are secured in a desired orientation by tightening a hinge member.
 7. The ladder device according to claim 7 wherein said hinge members and said tightening members are mounted on a stem extending from an end of one of said rungs.
 8. The ladder device according to claim 7 wherein said stem is threaded and said tightening member is threaded onto said stem.
 9. The ladder device according to claim 4 wherein one of said outside indexing protrusion and said inside indexing protrusion is comprised of a plurality of protrusions arranged in a circular configuration and the other of said outside indexing protrusions and said inside indexing protrusions is comprised of member for locating between said plurality of protrusions.
 10. A ladder device for game play comprising: a lower rung; a leg assembly connected to said first rung; a middle arm connected to said lower rung by right and left middle arm members; an upper rung connected to said middle rung by right and left upper arm members; wherein, when orientated in an extended configuration, said legs extend below said lower rung, said middle rung is oriented above said lower rung, and said upper rung is oriented above said middle rung; wherein, when orientated in a collapsed position, said leg assembly and said upper arms are adjacent to and parallel with said middle arm members.
 11. The ladder device according to claim 10 wherein: said leg assembly and said upper arms have a length that is no longer than a length of said middle arms, thereby facilitating a compact configuration when in a collapsed orientation. 